By David Rullo, Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

Julie Paris thought she was done with Judaism after her bat mitzvah.

Shortly after reciting the last blessing, the Fox Chapel native and Tree of Life Congregation member looked at the rabbi and said out loud what many 13-year-olds are quietly thinking: “I’m done with Judaism now, right? It’s done. I did it.”

Paris is the Mid-Atlantic regional director of StandWithUs, an international, nonpartisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism. She is a familiar sight to anyone in Pittsburgh who has attended a rally in support of Israel, or the hostages still held in Gaza, since Oct. 7. She routinely is interviewed by media, speaks at educational events and works behind the scenes or hosts programs to combat antisemitism.

Despite her frenetic schedule, Paris didn’t have a deep connection to Israel while growing up, though she was proud of being Jewish, she said. Paris’ parents ensured that she and her brother were raised with an understanding of their Jewish heritage. They attended Hebrew school at both Tree of Life and a satellite campus near their home. Paris’ mother was one of the founding members of Adat Shalom and a former chair of Hadassah. Paris also spent a lot of time at her grandmother’s house in Squirrel Hill, learning the rhythm of Jewish life in the neighborhood.

Her passion for Judaism, though, was ignited as a teen when she attended BBYO meetings. Those tentative steps led to a full immersion in the organization, including traveling to Cleveland on weekends and staying with other BBYO families, as well as participating in the organization’s conventions and its CLTC (Chapter Leadership Training Conference) one summer.

For more, visit https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/julie-paris-fights-anti-zionism-and-antisemitism/